The Mesa County Jail is a modern, 611-bed correctional facility located in the western Colorado city of Grand Junction. This detention center houses men and women awaiting trial on a Colorado misdemeanor or felony charge, anticipating a facility transfer, or serving a post-conviction sentence. In Mesa County, about 80 percent of the jail population is pre-trial, and the majority of inmates face felony charges.

The address and phone number of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department and Detention Center is:

215 Rice Street
Grand Junction, CO 81507
Phone: (970) 244-3500

The lobby hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed in observance of all national holidays.

For the benefit of incoming inmates, friends, and family members, our experienced team of Colorado criminal defense lawyers provides detailed, relevant information about the Mesa County jail below.

Topics covered by our Grand Junction criminal defense attorneys include:

• 1. Inmate Search Information
• 2. Paying Bail for a Mesa County Inmate
• 3. Phone and E-mail Communication
• 4. Visiting a Grand Junction Inmate
• 5. Commissary Cash Accounts
• 6. Mail at the Mesa County Jail
• 7. Life and Health at the Detention Center
• 8. Work Release
• 9. Property Retrieval
• 10. Defense for Criminal Charges

1. Inmate Search

To assist in your search for a potential Mesa County inmate, the sheriff’s department provides an Inmate Locator webpage. With the individual’s last name, date of birth or booking number, you can pull up information that includes criminal charges and the bail bond amount, if applicable.

Note that the Mesa County jail is an adults only facility. Juvenile offenders in Mesa County are taken to the Grand Mesa Youth Services Center for evaluation and possible detention.

2. Bail Bonding

Many “guests” of the Mesa County jail can gain temporary freedom from incarceration through payment of a bail bond. The court sets the amount that must be paid, or in rare cases, allows the arrestee’s release on his or her own recognizance.

Bail bond amounts are provided on the sheriff’s Inmate Search page or you can call the jail directly for this information. Note that bond and first advisement hearings are held at 1:30 p.m. on weekdays (excepting court holidays), and online bond information may not be updated until late afternoon or after 5:00 p.m.

There are three ways to pay bail bonds for inmates in Grand Junction:

1. The inmate’s cash bond can be paid at the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. The office can only accept cash payment or a certified check.
2. Alternatively, a property bond can be posted, secured by real estate. This transaction is facilitated at the Court Clerk’s office in the Mesa County Justice Center.
3. You can also go through a licensed bail bondsman, who will post bond for your inmate for a fee. Bonding agencies can be found online or in local phone directories.

It is very important to understand this: bond payments and/or collateral property may be forfeited if the inmate does not appear in court as ordered. For more information about this process, see: How to post bail in Colorado.

3. Communication with Inmates

Mesa County inmates may not take incoming phone calls unless the call is from an attorney or bondsman. Inmates are allowed to make collect calls to family and friends, or may utilize prepaid phone minutes. On a case by case basis, callers may be allowed to communicate with an inmate in a verifiable emergency situation.

There is a 20-minute time limit for all collect and prepay outgoing phone calls. The phone will automatically disconnect after 20 minutes has passed. To set up an account and pay for phone time, use the IC Solutions website, or call the company at (888) 506-8407.

Electronic communication (similar to e-mail) is also allowed in certain housing areas at the jail. The inmates have access to electronic devices that allow for sending/receiving of personal messages. For this type of communication, you need to establish an account with gettingout.com. Note that it is necessary to log into the system to send or receive messages.

All calls and electronic communications are subject to monitoring or recording. For this reason, all parties are wise to avoid discussing sensitive topics that could harm an inmate’s case.

4. Visiting with a Grand Junction Inmate

Visitation in Mesa County is facilitated through a video screen, and can take place onsite or through your home computer. Offsite video visits may be scheduled seven days a week by appointment, but must be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead of time. Inmates become eligible for 20-minute video visits once they have been housed at the Mesa County jail for 72 hours. The privilege may be revoked if an inmate has been sanctioned.

To establish an account and schedule video visits from home, you can use the kiosk in the detention center lobby, or go to ICSolutions.com. Visitation can be accomplished with a personal computer, laptop, or any android device. (For android, download The Visitor™ app from ICS Mobile.) There is a fee for offsite video visitation services. You can reach IC Solutions for more information and assistance at (888) 646-9437.

On-site visits

At the jail, visitation takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Visitation is closed for all County holidays.) Each inmate is limited to one on-site visit per visitation day. These are not face-to-face visits; communication takes place through video screen equipment.

Adult visitors must have valid photo-identification, either a driver’s license or other government-issued ID. Visitors under 18 must be in the company of an adult and minors must be pre-scheduled for the visit. All visitors are expected to arrive at least 10 minutes ahead of their scheduled visit to check in at the desk.

5. Commissary Funding for Inmates

Mesa County jail inmates are allowed to purchase snacks and other luxury items through the commissary. There is a maximum spending limit of $100 a week. All orders go in on Wednesday and are delivered on Saturday.

If desired, family and friends can provide funds for an inmate’s commissary account. There are three ways to make a commissary deposit:

• Use the kiosk in the jail lobby, which is available Monday through Friday from 8 am. to 5 p.m. The kiosk accepts credit cards and debit cards as well as paper money larger than $1.
• Use the website www.accesscorrections.com to make credit card deposits online.
• Call (866) 345-1884 for a credit card phone transaction.

6. Mesa County Inmate Mail

Address mail for a Mesa County inmate as follows:

Inmate’s Full Name and booking number
c/o Mesa County Detention Facility
P.O. Box 20000-5017
Grand Junction, CO 81502

All mail is opened and inspected. If the envelope is marked “legal mail,” an officer will open it in front of the inmate. Note that a delay of a few days is to be expected for mail delivery to inmates.

Limited items may be sent to an inmate at the Grand Junction jail. The facility does not accept packages unless they are from a national book vendor or with special, advanced permission. Acceptable enclosures inside an envelope addressed to a Mesa County inmate are as follows:

• Letters of appropriate content
• Government-issued checks
• A one-page, computer-printed calendar, monthly or yearly
• W-2’s and tax data
• Photos sized 9” x 11” or smaller (Note that inmates can only keep five photos at a time.)

Do NOT send:

• Nude or explicit photos
• Inappropriate letters, books, or magazines
• Clipped articles or pictures from magazines
• Payroll checks
• Binders
• Jewelry
• Car titles
• Greeting cards with musical components
• Bookmarks
• Stickers
• Writing materials or stamps

Note that inmates are given the opportunity to purchase correspondence materials and postage through commissary. Softcover books and magazines may be sent from a national vendor, but not a local bookstore.

7. Life and Health at the Mesa County Jail

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Department states a commitment to safety and humane treatment for incarcerated inmates. Upholding the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), there is zero tolerance for sexual assault or misconduct.

Built in 1992, the Grand Junction detention center is a modern facility. Residential cells are secured by automated doors instead of bars, providing for greater privacy and safety. Inmates are housed according to gender and classification, with violent offenders isolated from other inmates. However, the jail has experienced significant overcrowding in recent years, as reported in this article.

While the facility can accommodate 611 inmates, the sheriff’s “target population” for effective housing is 490. The jail population page provides a detailed count and breakdown of current inmates.

In addition to food and basic hygiene items, Mesa County inmates have access to 24-hour medical care, exercise opportunities and educational programs. Meals are planned by a registered dietician, with special meals available for individuals with dietary restrictions. Medical care includes access to mental health treatment seven days a week.

Programs for inmates include a Jail-Based Behavioral Health Services program, which provides counseling, substance use treatment, and group classes addressing topics such as anger management. Volunteers lead Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and provide classes on parenting, obtaining a GED, etc. Religious programs and services are also available.

Cooperative inmates are given opportunities to work inside the jail or on outdoor road crews. This work can result in reduced sentences and provides training for future employment.

8. Work Release

The Mesa County jail does not facilitate a formal work release program at this time. Work release opportunities are handled through Mesa County Community Corrections, which offers housing and other support for those who qualify for alternative detention.

9. Inmate Property Release

Family and friends can come in to pick up inmate property stored at the jail. Prior to booking, property can be picked up anytime during normal office hours. Inmates who are incarcerated in the jail must sign a release form authorizing property pick-up. With valid photo ID, designated individuals can pick up an inmate’s property on the following days and times:

Mondays 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Fridays 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

10. Seeking Legal Representation

After an arrest, it is important to thoroughly understand your legal rights. An experienced criminal attorney at the Colorado Legal Defense Group can explain your options and help you defend your freedom and reputation. We have assisted many Colorado arrestees, and offer a strong record of results for past clients.

If you or your loved one is facing criminal allegations, let us help you fight the charges and avoid unwanted consequences. Get a free consultation and case assessment by calling (303) 222-0330 today, or contact us online to request an appointment.